A memoir by Arthur Wiknik, Jr.
272 pages, 30 B&W photos, hardbound
ISBN 1-932033-40-8
"Nam Sense is one of the best books I have ever read on the Vietnam War. Anyone who was on the ground in Vietnam will recognize every sight, sound and situation. This riveting memoir is the real deal."
Rob Simmons, Vietnam Veteran and former U.S. Congressman
Arthur Wiknik, Jr. served in Vietnam with Company A 2/506th of the 101st Airborne Division as an infantry squad leader from April 1969 to March 1970. He was one of the first in his unit to safely reach the top of Hamburger Hill during the final assault. A few months later, he prevented a possible attack on a remote firebase by discovering a nearby enemy weapons cache.
Arthur's writing credits include stories in Chicken Soup for the Brother and Sister Soul, Chicken Soup for the Mother and Son Soul, Chicken Soup for the Father and Daughter Soul and Chicken Soup for the Veteran’s Soul books. He has also had articles in Army, Soldier of Fortune, Players, North American Whitetail, Rural New England and Heading Out magazines.
Proud of his military service, Arthur gives talks at schools, colleges and civic organizations about his Vietnam experiences. A dedicated community volunteer, Arthur is a 17-year member of the Haddam Memorial Day Parade Committee, is a founding member of the Haddam Veteran's Museum and is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Arthur lives in Connecticut and works as a Technical Recruiter. He is available for book signings and to give presentations on his Vietnam War experiences.
NAM SENSE in paperback is now available! See Purchase page!
Hamburger Hill Textbook Available
Scholastic educational book VIETNAM - The Bloodbath at Hamburger Hill is now available on amazon.com and scholastic.com
This high school history book features personal Hamburger Hill stories of Frank Boccia from 3/187th, Michael Serrano from 1/506th and Arthur Wiknik from 2/506th.
Found: Lost Dog Tag
On October 7, 2005, Arthur received a dog tag he had lost in South Vietnam in 1969. The tag, along with hundreds of others, was purchased from a street vendor in the city of Da Nang by Bryan Marks, co-founder of VietnamDogtags.com. After a heartwarming and confirming conversation, the lost tag was returned. VietnamDogtags.com performs this service at no cost to Vietnam veterans and their families as a show of appreciation for their military service. Additional lost dog tag sources can be found on the Related Links page.
Hamburger Hill 20th Anniversary Edition DVD Release
On May 20th, 2008, the 39th anniversary of the battle for Hamburger Hill, a HAMBURGER HILL 20th ANNIVERSARY movie DVD was released by LIONSGATE FILMS. The special features in this re-release were produced by DRISSI STUDIOS in Burbank, CA, who called upon Arthur to provide photographs and appear in an interview for the DVD. Although Arthur's unit was involved with the battle for the last three days, he is proud and honored to have fought alongside men of the 101st Airborne's 3/187th who bore the brunt of the fighting and took the heaviest losses.
The 1987 film has not changed but in the new release is a feature titled HAMBURGER HILL: THE APPEARANCE OF REALITY that includes commentary with the original actors, director and producer on the making of the movie. Most of the photographs in this feature were supplied by Arthur. Hamburger Hill veterans Douglas Gagne and David Robbins who served in Co. A 2/506th also supplied photos. A second feature titled MEDICS IN VIETNAM is where you will see and hear Arthur, as well as a few more of his photographs.
Engraved NAM SENSE Quote
Veteran's Memorial Park in Glendale Heights, IL (west of Chicago) features a series of stone tribute stations depicting the various stages of military service. The Coming Home station contains paraphrased quotes from NAM SENSE that describe leaving the Vietnam War zone and landing safely on American soil.
Questions or comments for the author can be sent by clicking here: NAM SENSE or writing to awiknik@namsense.com